The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-28

the life and example of R. f. Lee, and
prayed that his old soldiers and the rising
generations might initiate his many virtues.
LAYING THE CORNERSTONE.
The Grand Lodge of Virginia Masons
Most Worshipful Grand Master w F.
Drinkard, presiding, took charge of the cor
ner-stone, and in ''due and ancient form" and
with the imposing rites of the order pro
ceeded to lay it. AT the conclusion of the
ceremonies, Gov. Lee, in the name of the
Lee Monument Association received the
work from the bands of the Grand Master
and expressed the hope that the monument
might "be as enduring as the reputation OF
the soldier whose memory it commend
rates"
At this juncture the rain became so heavy
that the Governor after consu ltation with
others, announced that further exercises
would be suspended, and that the poem and
oration would be delivered tonight in the
hall Of the House of Delegates The crowd
even then seemed reluctant to disperse, but
finally sought shelter, in the best OF humor,
many proceeding to the State Fair grounds
10 spend the remainder of the day
Among the many ex-COnfederates present
who were frequently greeted with cheers
and applause as they were recognized by
the crowd were: Gen w. H. F. and Capt
Henry Lee, sons of the dead chieftain,
Gems. Wade Hampton, Joseph E. Johnston,
Jubal A. Early. Daniel r. Ruggles. j. ID.
Imboden, Bradley r. johnson, William
McComb. r. L. Page George II. Stuart
L. L. Lomax, Robert Ransom, Mat Ran
som, Eppa Hunton, c. NJ: Wilcox, W. ID,
Taliaferro, ex-Gov. William Cameron,
United States Senator John w Daniel and
also Col Charles Marshall, of Gen. r. f.
Lees staff, and many Others of lesser rank,
but equally we'll known and revered by the
people of the South.
IN THE HALL OF THE HOUSE.
The hall of the House of Delegates was
packed to its utmost capacity tonight,
while many persons had to retire for want
Of even standing ROOM Among the audi
snce might be seen many prominent per-
sonages who had taken part in the days
ceremonies at the corner stone laying, and
also many ladies. Shortly after o'clock
Gov. Lee assembled the rostrum and called
the gathering to order, and after
giving a brief but clear history of
The forina ion of. and the work done
by the Lee Monument Association, in com
plimentary terms introduced Gen. Jubal
A. Early, who bad been selected to preside
over the meeting. Gen. Early was greeted
with thunders of applause. In few re
marks he expressed his qualification at
seeing so large a gathering. He referred to
ihe original formation of this monument
association, over which ex-President Davis
presided, and paid an eloquent tribute
10 the distinguished exPresident
Of the COufeberacy and regretted
his absence from Richmond on this occa-
sion. He said he knew he gave utterance to
the sentiment of this vast aSSemblage when
he expressed the hope that M. Davis would
be here at the unwilling of the proposed
monument. Gen Early said that Gen. Lee
needed no monument, but I'VE owe it to
:. !
vain men may go back on their principles
he noble women of the South would be
ever true.
CAPT. BARRON HOPES POEM.
Gen. Early then IN fitting terms intro
iuced Capt William Gordon McCabe, of
Petersburg. who paid a glowing tribute to
the late Capt. james Barron Hope, the
gifted author of the poem which he was
about to read. He then proceeded with the
reading as follows:
MEMoRIE sAcRUM.
Great Mother of great Commonwealth
Men called our Mother State
And she so well has earned this name
That she may challenge Fate
To snatch away the epithet
Long given her of great"
First of all Old England's outposts
To stand fast upon these shores,
Soon she brought mighty harvest
To q Peoples threshing 1oors
And more than golden grain was piled
Within her ample doors
Behi I'd her stormy sunrise shone,
Her shadow fell vest and long
And her mighty Adm raj English Smith,
Heads prodirious throng
OF as mighty men, from Raleigh down,
AS ever arose in Song.
Her names are the shining arrows
Which her ancient culver bears,
And their splendid sheaf has thickened
Through the long march OF the years,
While her great shield has been FURNISHED
By her childrens blood and tears.
Yes, it is true my Countrymen,
We are rich in names and blood,
And red have been the blossoms
From the first Colonial bud,
While her names have blazed as meteors
By many field and flood
And as some food tumultuous
In sounding billews rolled
Give back the evenings glorieS
In a wealth Of blazing gold;
So does the present from its waves
Reflect the lights of old.
Our history is a shifting sea
Locked in by lofty land
And its great Pillars of Hercules,
Above the shining sand,
here behold in majesty
Uprising on each hand
These Pillars of our history
In fame forever young.
Are known in every latitude
And named in every tongue,
And down through all the Ages
Their story shall be sung.
The Father of his country
Stands above that shut-n sea
glorious symbol to the world
OF all that's great and free;
And to-day Virginia matches him
And matches him with Lee.
Who shall blame the social order
Which gave us men as great as these.
Who condemn the soil of & forest
Which brings forth gigantic trees?
Who presume to doubt that Providence
Shapes out our destiniesg
Foreordained and long maturing,
Came the famous men of old;
In the dark mines deep were driven
Down the shafts to reach the gold,
And the story is far longer
Than the histories have told.
From Bacon down to Washington
The generations passed,
Great events and moving causes
Were in Serfied order massed
Berkeley well was first confronted,
Better George the King at last!
From the times of that stern ruler
To our own familiar days
Long the pathway we have trOdden.